Reborn in the 80s, Get Rich by Eating Melons

Chapter 594: Chapter 594: When Did You Get Married?

Deng Qiuxia paused in her slicing of winter melon, considered it, and then said, "That could work, I will talk to Jinnian later."

Deng Qiuxia had been oppressed at home for many years. The sudden flattery from her younger sister-in-law felt especially gratifying and refreshing.

She was once again relieved that she had not agreed to marry Jinnian off to old Chen. If Jinnian had truly married into that family, perhaps she would have been driven to an early grave by stress.

Seeing Deng Qiuxia agreeing, Aunt Guo was instantly cheered up. She helped with washing the vegetables one moment, stoking the fire the next, doing everything she could to avoid letting Deng Qiuxia lift a finger.

This was the first time Deng Qiuxia had experienced this kind of treatment in all the years she had been married into the family. She thoroughly enjoyed this feeling of being catered to, even deliberately instructing Aunt Guo on how to work and criticizing her poor performance. These were all tricks that Aunt Guo had used on her in the past.

In the countryside, there was little good food, especially in winter. Apart from winter melon, cured meat, and cabbage, the only dish impressive enough to be served at the table was a chicken.

Deng Hongxia cooked an entire rooster, serving it in an iron pot. She then stir-fried some cured meat with winter melon in a soup pot. She finally chopped up some cabbage, boiled it and threw in a few eggs to make a cabbage soup.

Because they were entertaining Tong Yao and Gu Hongwei, Guo Xinpei didn’t want to lose face. Thus, Deng Hongxia cooked a large pot of rice. The amount of rice would have lasted her half a month on any normal day.

Guo Jinnian had been sending money home for many years, but alas, Guo Xinpei was fond of gambling. So despite having money, the family couldn’t save any. Deng Hongxia lived frugally, but all her savings were taken by Guo Xinpei for gambling, which made their daily life extremely tight.

But Deng Hongxia took pride in their poverty, thinking that by not despising the poverty of Guo Xinpei’s family, she was a good woman. In reality, she was simply indulging herself.

The delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen made the already hungry Guo Jinnian’s stomach growl. Seeing his father’s enthusiasm, he realized he probably wouldn’t be able to leave that evening. So, he called Tong Yao to go to the village entrance with him to tell Uncle Niu Che that they would need his service the next day instead.

As for Gu Hongwei, he was being held up in conversation by Guo Xinpei, Guo Uncle and Guo Aunt, and had no chance to leave.

Tong Yao walked out of the courtyard with Guo Jinnian and instantly took a deep breath. Honestly, being surrounded and questioned by elders was not a pleasant feeling.

With this in mind, Tong Yao smiled at Guo Jinnian. "Jinnian, Hongwei really suffered a lot for you this time. You should properly thank him."

Guo Jinnian pat his chest in assurance. "Don’t worry, Yaoyao. Whether things go smoothly or not, I’ll remember his kindness."

Tong Yao was just joking with Guo Jinnian, but seeing her serious expression, she laughed. Then, she remembered something and said, "Jinnian, I have some bad news for you. Try not to get too upset."

Guo Jinnian was somewhat curious. "What news?"

Tong Yao replied, "Your dad has mortgaged your house to someone else. The receipt is now in someone else’s hands."

Guo Jinnian was stunned. "What? Is he insane? My house is worth more than three thousand! How much money could he have gambled away to give away the receipt for my house?"

Tong Yao shook her head. "I’m not sure about the specifics. Aunt Guo told me this. I think it should be true."

The color drained from Guo Jinnian’s face, and she was clearly irritated. "I’ll go back and ask him."

The purpose of her visit this time was to retrieve the receipt. If the house was already lost, what was she doing here?

Tong Yao handed her a candle. "Jinnian, don’t be impulsive. Aunt Guo said your dad mortgaged the house just a few days ago. I don’t think he could have lost too much money. During dinner, get him a bit more wine and start a conversation. Your dad likes to put on a bold face in front of outsiders. Steer the conversation towards the house, and we can find a way to make him voluntarily hand over the receipt."

Knowing that Tong Yao had many plans, Guo Jinnian calmed down and nodded. "Yaoyao, I’m lucky to have you. Otherwise, I would already be fighting with my dad. That house is what I risked my life to get. They really don’t care about my wellbeing at all."

Tong Yao patted Guo Jinnian’s shoulder silently, offering her comfort.

They soon arrived at the village entrance, where Uncle Niu Che was already waiting. Seeing Tong Yao and Guo Jinnian approaching, he greeted them with a kindly smile. "Why have only the two of you come? Where is the other lad?"

Tong Yao chuckled. "Uncle, we have some arrangements and won’t be leaving today. Can you pick us up at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon instead? We’ll pay you for today, and we’ll settle the rest once we reach town tomorrow."

Hearing that he didn’t have to make the trip to town but would still get paid, Uncle Niu Che was naturally delighted. However, he was a straightforward man and felt it wasn’t right to accept so much money for less work. He insisted on returning fifty cents to Tong Yao.

Tong Yao waved her hand in refusal, smiling. "Uncle, we booked your cart for the entire day. Even if we only take one trip, we should pay you the full amount. You just keep it. Just remember to pick us up tomorrow."

Hearing Tong Yao say this, Uncle Niu Che didn’t refuse any further. He turned his cart around and went back to the village.

Tong Yao and Guo Jinnian didn’t want to join in the conversation with the elders, so they decided to wait at the village entrance to be called for dinner. Guo Jinnian pointed to the pathway leading into the village and told Tong Yao stories from her childhood, laughing heartily. She had been a mischievous child, often getting into fights with the village boys.

Back then, there were very few boys in the village who could defeat her. And they often cursed that she would never get married when she grew up.

Just as they were laughing merrily, a man suddenly stopped in front of them on a bike, a boy seated in front and a woman at the back. He peered uncertainly at Guo Jinnian. "Is that.. Jinnian?"

Guo Jinnian looked at the man doubtfully. But before she could speak, the man broke out into a wide smile. "It really is you! I thought I had mistaken someone else for you."

"Brother Youzhi." Guo Jinnian greeted awkwardly, then introduced to Tong Yao. "Yaoyao, this is a childhood friend of mine from the village. I’ve always called him Brother Youzhi."

Seeing Guo Jinnian’s stiff expression upon seeing the man, and then noting the hostility in the gaze of the woman who jumped off the back of his bike, Tong Yao could tell that there was some history here. But she decided not to ask, and instead just nodded and smiled at the man.

The man gave Tong Yao an embarrassed look, then asked Guo Jinnian. "She’s your relative from Kyoto, right?"

It was no surprise that Guo Jinnian had a beautiful city relative since Deng Qiuxia was from Kyoto.

Before Guo Jinnian could answer, Tong Yao laughed lightly. "I’m her cousin on her husband’s side."

"Cousin?" The man looked at Guo Jinnian in confusion. "When did you get married?"